Tempest

by K. Ibura

After her mother passed away in Hurricane Katrina, Veronique moved to her mawmaw’s house in the Louisiana countryside. Mawmaw always said that Veronique needed to hide her power over the wind, but one day, she has to use it to save a neighbor’s son from drowning. To protect Veronique, her mawmaw immediately sends her to live with her aunt in New Orleans.

NOLA is nothing like Veronique could have imagined—she’s finally attending traditional school, she gets to bond with cousins that she’s never met, and she even rides on her first highway. Though she quickly falls in with a group of friends at school—and one boy that she’d like to be more than her friend—there’s also a higher risk of discovery in the city. When one of her cousins’ friends figures out the truth, V learns about a secret organization called the Vaunted that comes after people with elemental magic.

The Vaunted is closing in, and V will be forced on the run to hide from their sinister intentions. V’s left with two major questions: Can she trust anyone? And will she ever get a chance to be a normal girl again?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Audiobook, Magic, Coming Of Age, Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2025

About the author

K. Ibura is a writer and visual artist from New Orleans, Louisiana—which is the original home of the Chitimacha Tribe. The middle child of five, she grew up in a city full of music and culture, a neighborhood full of oak trees and mosquitos, and a home full of arts and activism. She wrote her first story in college to cope with a racist incident that happened to a classmate. Since then, she has published essays about identity, race, and gender and fantastical short stories about mystical happenings in magazines and anthologies. She has written two short story collections for adults: Ancient, Ancient—Winner of the James Tiptree Award—and When the World Wounds. Her debut novel and first book for young people, When the World Turned Upside Down, is forthcoming in November 2021. Her debut young adult series is forthcoming in Fall 2022. She is passionate about sharing strategies for writing and personal freedom through her workshops, her Patreon posts, and her Notes From the Trenches ebook series. A member of the first generation of African Americans to grow up without segregation, she lives in Brooklyn, NY—which is the original home of the Lenape Tribe.

Reviews

[Keri Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rated up. I wanted to love this book so much more than I did! The premise is fantastic and it had so much potential, but I felt like the execution was lacking in a few areas. These areas might not be bothersome for other readers, however.

Tempest felt younger than YA to me, almost more like a middle grade book. I noticed this especially with the protagonist Veronique, and her cousin Zaza. Both of them felt like they were several years younger than they were supposed to be.

The writing has realistic dialogue, good atmosphere, and solid descriptions. Ibura tackles some heavy subjects, with grief and identity at the forefront of the story. The pacing, though, felt uneven throughout. The first part of the book is super slow to unfold, so you’ll have to be able to stick with books that have a slower pace and are primarily dialogue in order to appreciate this one.

Towards the ending, it feels like it almost morphs into a completely different book, with breakneck pacing, which was jarring. Many of the characters introduced in the first two thirds of the story that you assume will be present and involved for the final climax aren’t involved at all, which doesn’t make sense from a storytelling perspective.

The contemporary and fantasy elements didn’t always feel fully integrated into the storyline, so we waffle back and forth between the two. The fantasy parts felt almost like they were pasted on top of the contemporary plotline. I’m sure that plenty of YA readers won’t mind this waffling as much as I did.

I think Tempest would be most likely to be enjoyed by YA readers on the younger side who are transitioning from middle grade to YA, and who are looking for a dialogue-heavy book featuring superheroes.

Thanks to Goodreads and HarperCollins for sending me a physical copy of Tempest to review!

[Lisette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been a 5 star read because I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and characters. However, the ending just did not tie up the loose ends at all. I'm left wondering what happens next. I needed for Veronique to have conversations with her cousin and friends...especially Mal's brother. That was a huge part of the story and it was just left unsettled for me. Overall, a very great book that I plan to introduce to my 6th grade students.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read! I loved the setting and the magic system in this one. The protagonist was definitely one I was rooting for throughout the book and the mysterious vibes had me flipping pages to see how the story was going to end.

[Tangi Trussell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise. For me, the execution fell short. I was really getting into the story then it ended quickly with loose ends.

Received courtesy of NetGalley (:

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Book/Overall Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook/ Narration: 3.5/5
Enjoyment Overall: 4/5

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Veronique, who was raised by her mawmaw, after her parents passed away during Hurricane Katrina and she was found in a raft tied in the attic. Her mawmaw raised her to hide her secret, so that no one could harm her. What is her secret? Veronique has the ability to control the winds. One night, Veronique is out wandering in the dark, and discovers a young boy drowning, she ends up having to use her powers in order to save his life. She makes the boy promise not to tell anyone, however, the next day the boy and his father are at her house thanking her and curious as to how she was able to save him. In order to protect her, her mawmaw sends Veronique to live with her aunt Eve, uncle, and two cousins in New Orleans. Veronique is devastated as she is leaving the only person she has ever known behind, but quickly starts to adjust to a life with friends, family, and now she is going to school for the first time. Her Uncle, has a young man, named Kez working for him, who constantly is giving weird vibes to V. Eventually Kez confronts her, knowing that her mother was involved somehow with his brother's disappearance. They both end up learning about a secret organization called the Vaunted, which is a group of people like V with powers to control an element. The Vaunted "recruits" those with powers, and now V knows what her mawmaw was really protecting her from.

This book was good, but it could have been great. The setting in Louisiana was excellent (I may be biased as I was born in New Orleans). I thought the idea of people controlling the elements was interesting, that it was a rare trait for people to have, and I liked that it was set in the real world and not a made up world. The characters had so much life and personality in them, which really made them pop off the pages. The story was honestly great up until she had the confrontation with one of the Vaunted (who we couldn't see), and she ended up hitching a ride with Tyree, her love interest. When she finally exposed her abilities to Tyree, he freaked the hell out and wanted nothing to really do with her after that - acting like she was lying to him the whole time, being weird about touching her after finding out, and acting like her powers could have ended his life - that was insane because that boy was so down bad for her, I get having the character being shocked learning that your girl has superpower, but not being supportive after the way he had been the whole rest of the book was really bad writing in my opinion. The second thing I didn't like about this book was the last few chapters - the build up of the beginning of the book was so excellently done that I thought this would be a 4-4.5 star book, but the stuff with the Vaunted happened in a millisecond it was like we blinked, we met them, and then it was over. You had been building up to the big bad and to just have it be over so quickly is honestly a waste of a book, this could have been so interesting. I'm confused if this is a standalone or not because we really didn't get a conclusion with Kez, the whole reunion with her mother and time they spent after surviving the vaunted was literally like a paragraph, and now they are just reunited with the Aunt and that is how the book ends. I guess we will see if there is another story or what, but honestly it needed an epilogue or something because the ending was trash.

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Why did I read? Loved the idea of the powers, loved the setting. Would I read again? Maybe since the first 2/3 of the book was good.

[Orlanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 1/2 ⭐️ this book was so disappointing. I don’t know if I have the words to explain how disappointed I am. It had the potential to be great and instead we got this.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC and exchange for an honest review!

K. Ibura’s “Tempest” is a contemporary YA fantasy that explores elemental magic in a rich New Orleans setting. With a strong protagonist, intriguing lore, and an undercurrent of mystery, the book offers an exciting start to what feels like a larger story.

The story follows Veronique, a girl raised by her mawmaw in a secluded rural environment after her parents’ tragic deaths during Hurricane Katrina. Veronique possesses a secret—she can control the wind. She’s spent her life hiding her powers, but when she saves a drowning boy, her abilities are exposed, forcing her to move to New Orleans to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Adjusting to city life, new friendships, and high school is overwhelming enough, but Veronique soon learns about the Vaunted—a secretive group of elemental magic users who seek to "recruit" people like her.

Ibura masterfully brings New Orleans to life, making it feel like a character of its own. The atmospheric setting enhances the novel’s contemporary fantasy elements, grounding the magic in a world that feels authentic and lived-in. The relationships Veronique develops, particularly with her reckless but loving cousin Zaza and the mysterious Kez, add depth to the story. However, the romance with Tyree feels rushed and artificial, especially given how abruptly his attitude shifts when he learns about Veronique’s abilities. His reaction feels inconsistent with his previous devotion, making it one of the book’s weaker points.

While the buildup to the Vaunted is suspenseful, their actual confrontation is disappointingly brief. Given how much the book builds them up as a looming threat, their resolution feels anticlimactic, and the ending overall is too neatly wrapped up without giving the story the depth it deserves. The final chapters move at breakneck speed, introducing major events and resolving conflicts too quickly, leaving some character arcs—like Kez’s unresolved past—feeling underdeveloped.

Despite these pacing issues, “Tempest” remains an engaging read with an intriguing magic system and a protagonist readers can root for. If a sequel is on the horizon, it has the potential to expand on the Vaunted’s role, Veronique’s relationship with her mother, and the stakes of her powers. While not without its flaws, “Tempest” is a compelling blend of contemporary and fantasy, perfect for readers looking for a fresh take on elemental magic and a vividly rendered setting.

[NeiNey.ThaReadinDoula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sings with Southern soul—and as someone whose heart beats in rhythm with Shreveport, I felt this one in my bones.

From the very first page, I was transported. The quiet stretch of backwoods Louisiana, the grit and glory of New Orleans—it all felt alive, sacred, and full of memory. This isn’t just a story; it’s a tribute to the South. To our people. To the legacy we carry in our blood. As a Black woman raised in Shreveport, I saw pieces of my own family, my own history, reflected back at me in these pages—and it felt like home.

Now, let me be real. I did want the magic and conflict to kick off sooner. I was itching for the heat, the stakes, the unraveling. But once it finally came together? Worth it. I just wanted a little more fire a little earlier—that’s the only reason I’m giving it a 4.5 instead of a full 5.

Veronique’s journey was absolutely stunning. She starts unsure, heavy with questions—but watching her come into herself, piece by piece, was powerful. She’s not just discovering magic—she’s reclaiming herself. And MawMaw? A queen. The kind of woman whose silence says more than a roomful of voices. She felt like the soul of the story—soft, steady, and unshakably strong.

The rest of the cast brought so much heart. Auntie Eve and Uncle Asim felt like those relatives everyone leans on, while Zaza, Jabari, Kez, and Tyree added layers of laughter, loyalty, and love. Their bonds with Veronique? Real, raw, and unforgettable.

This book is drenched in culture, thick with history, and overflowing with love for Blackness, for the South, and for the magic we carry in our bones. If you’ve ever called Louisiana home—especially Shreveport—this one will wrap you up in something familiar and leave you walking a little taller.

4.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley & Happy Release Day. This one’s staying with me.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest is not a book to rush through; it's a book to inhabit. If you prefer high-octane plot mechanics, you might struggle with its deliberate, immersive pacing. However, if you are a reader who savors lyrical language and stories that prioritize atmosphere and internal landscape over relentless action, this novel is a genuine reward.

This is fundamentally a story about what happens when the very foundations of the self shift, and the world—both external and internal—reflects that violent, beautiful change. The central character's journey through a kind of disorientation is rendered with such visceral, poetic detail that you feel the shift in reality right alongside them.

What truly sets Tempest apart is Ibura's uncompromising, singular voice. The prose flows like poetry, often circling back on key images and emotions, weaving a tapestry of longing, memory, and profound uncertainty. The relationships are complicated, messy, and wonderfully real—they defy simple labels of "hero" or "love interest," existing instead in that beautiful, murky space of genuine human connection and co-dependence.

While the book is deeply ambitious in its scope, exploring themes of spiritual rebirth and the nature of personal history, this ambition is also where I hold back that final star. The narrative occasionally becomes so fragmented and interior that a reader can feel adrift, momentarily losing the necessary thread to anchor themselves. It demands your full, dedicated attention.

Ultimately, though, the payoff is absolutely worth the occasional struggle with pacing. When the pieces click into place, they create a resonant and moving conclusion that stays with you long after the cover is closed. Tempest is a testament to the power of literary fiction to explore change not as an event, but as a vast, internal sea storm.

[Prof. Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

From the moment I started reading, I was captivated by the rich tapestry of culture woven throughout the narrative. The details surrounding Veronique's upbringing in rural Louisiana, and then her transition to New Orleans, were incredibly vivid and authentic. As a Black woman, I particularly appreciated how the author highlighted the nuances of Black family dynamics and community.

The character development was truly exceptional. Veronique's journey of self-discovery, from a sheltered girl to a powerful young woman, felt incredibly relatable. I loved seeing her grapple with her powers while also navigating the complexities of new friendships, first love, and understanding her family's past. MawMaw was also a phenomenal character – her wisdom and strength radiated off the page.

And the supporting cast? Absolutely brilliant! Auntie Eve and Uncle Asim provided such a wonderful foundation of love and stability, while Zaza, Jabari, Kez, and Tyree each brought their own unique energy and personalities, adding so much depth and warmth to the story. Their interactions with Veronique, whether through playful banter or heartfelt conversations, made for such an enjoyable and immersive read.

My only slight wish, and why I'm giving it a 4.5-star review instead of a full five, is that I longed for the action to start sooner and last longer. I felt there was so much potential for earlier conflict and a more extended build-up to the climax, especially to lay groundwork for what could potentially lead to a second book. Despite that, this book is a truly amazing read for anyone who appreciates a story with depth, heart, and a beautifully rendered cultural landscape.

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like a love letter to New Orleans and Southern Black girlhood, woven with grief, magic, and coming-of-age vulnerability. It gave me serious Legendborn with a dash of Blood Debts thrown in; not necessarily in plot, but in the way it centers Black teens navigating identity, power, and generational trauma. Honestly, I picked this up for my inner teenager, and the grief themes really hit in that soft, vulnerable part of me.

I adored just watching Veronique just exist and grow up a little. Settling into her new life, figuring out how to be a normal teen while hiding a secret. The New Orleans setting is rich and tangible, full of cultural love and history.

But the pacing toward the end did not do this story any favors. After such a long, slow build full of character work and quiet emotional moments, the last 10-20% felt like someone hit fast-forward and crammed all the plot in. I literally reached the last page and sat there blinking like… wait, that’s it? This honestly needed to be a duology or at least a longer standalone to let the back half breathe.

That said, the grief and family threads really landed, and the final scene left me with those sweeter aspects I love in coming-of-age stories.

Thanks so much to the amazing Epic Reads and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy! This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest, by K. Ibura, is a standalone novel.

Dominique has been raised by her grandmother to hide her power to control the winds. But, due to her grandmother's illness, she moves in with her aunt's family in New Orleans and must desperately try to control her powers while adjusting to whole new circumstances--and the dangerous secrets her grandmother has been keeping from her. First off, I want to say that I found it extremely suspicious that her so-called paternal grandmother makes no mention of, and shows no real grief over, her supposedly dead son--and I was right! That being said, I found the whole conspiracy somewhat unbelievable. People who survive natural disasters sometimes gain powers regarding those natural forces, okay; some of them band together as a group to do good, which devolves into a cult, okay; but the amount of reach they supposedly have doesn't make much sense. How would their powers allow them to do things like kidnap people, fake people's deaths, or build a huge complex beneath a warehouse? Still, this works as a story of a teen coming into her full capabilities and learning to believe in herself.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you QuillTree Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Veronique has spent her life hiding from the world. Her MawMaw is convinced that should anyone learn her secret she would be in danger. Her secret, she can control the wind. Her parents died in Hurricane Katrina so it’s just been the two of them ever since. But her life changes drastically when her mawmaw announces that she is sending her to go live with her Aunt Eve and her family. Now in a new city, able to attend school, have friends, she gets to experience the world like most teens do. But she must not let anyone know her secret. With everything new going on that becomes increasingly difficult. Especially when she find out about the Vaunted, a group of elemental magic users who want to recruit her. Can they be trusted? Can she fit in with her family she hardly knows? Or could danger be around the corner? I loved the lore, magic, and imagery of this story! Veronique is a strong protagonist who’s just trying to find her place when everything she knows is turned upside down. Fast paced and intense this magical mystery will have readers flipping that pages and thirsting for more!

[Lay Tonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
NetGalley ARC

I love love love the writing of this book because it kept me coming back for more. It was more urban than I was expecting and it keeps you wrapped with the words and whisk you into seeing the people come to life in your mind. I love books like that, it almost feels like a movie in the mind. Veronique was a lost one for so long with those who she knew cared for her lying to her for what they said was for her protection but really keeping her from the truth about herself to figure out what she wanted to do with the information if she ever found out. She got everything she wanted in the end and I am happy that she did not freak out so bad when she found the missing piece she needed to move forward with her life. Love this author and placing them in my favorites. Looking forward to more from them.

[Elizabeth Barrett Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley. I found the writing style a little juvenile at times, and the ending left me with so many questions. Veronique is very naive and too easily manipulated for someone who claims to be aware of the danger she’s in. Also, I was skeptical about Tyree the moment he was introduced. We’re never sure of his age. Is he 17 or 21? That’s a huge difference in how I view their dynamic. Same with Kez.

The magic system is very under explored. It’s obviously elemental magic which V seems baffled by. The ending went from zero action to blowing up a building in two chapters. Then there just wasn’t any closer.

It was a really interesting premise but it wasn’t well executed.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veronique’s life with MawMaw in rural Louisiana is so circumscribed - it’s just the two of them since V’s parents were lost in a hurricane, and MawMaw must teach V how to control the power she has over the wind. When MawMaw’s health is failing, it’s a huge shock to be sent to live with Aunt Eve’s family in New Orleans, including her outgoing cousin Zambia. Adjusting to high school and working in her uncle’s bookstore is a lot, and then there’s Kez, who also works at the store. V is anxious to learn if there are others who have her kind of powers and Kez might have some answers - but is there anyone V can trust? Fantasy, horror, mystery, and romance with keep readers turning pages. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pace is not what I expected. The plot points were mostly what I expected, but there was more setup and character growth than I expected. I really like the way Veronique slowly comes into herself and her powers. We watch her make friends, then start dating and then have to decide how much to tell them about her. She uncovers secrets and has to decide what to do with this new information. The battle between Veronique and the bad guy wrapped up a little quickly, but I also liked that the battle wasn’t the whole storyline. There was a lot of showing us who Veronique is and how she became that.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was very reminiscent of the 2010s YA era when kids had powers. It was a sad but powerful story I just wish more had happened before the end scene. It had a very wholesome ending, though and outside of the whole "girl with powers" plot the story was heavily about family. The writing was great so I'll definitely keep an eye out for anything new the author publishes.

[Diana-christie Biancardi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to be for me for sure.

[Dache' Lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute story with the development of superpowers based on elements. I would say this is a cute read while you are relaxing with a nice blanket and pillow.

[rieke.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

CAWPILE: 5.43/10.00

[Truffle Fairy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book at record speed! Deeply New Orleans and full of twists and turns. I loved every minute of this book. (More detailed review on the way)